PBA holds camp for 66 aspirants

MANILA, Philippines - Sixty-six aspirants have made it to Friday’s Philippine Basketball Association Rookie Camp to showcase their skills that would hopefully earn them a contract to play in Asia’s first-play-for-pay league.

Eleven of the total participants in the seven-day activity are Fil-foreign. Notable among them is Josh Vanlandingham of Everett Community College, who played for Hapee Toothpaste in the Philippine Basketball League.

The 26-year old forward easily made a connection among local hoop fans because he happens to be the great grandson of Filipino Olympic medalist, the late swimming great Teofilo Yldefonso.

Day One of the Rookie Camp will be held at the Club 650 Gym in Libis, Quezon City from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. It will dwell mainly on physical test and drills.

The next six days of the camp will focus on the playing ability of the aspirants, who will be divided into four teams and play a single-round elimination highlighted by a mini-championship game on Aug. 26. All games will take place at the Ynares Sports Arena in Pasig City from 9 a.m. to 12 noon.

Possible draft prospects among the local hopefuls are former UAAP Most Valuable Player (MVP) Rabeh Al-Hussaini, NCAA counterpart John Wilson, Nonoy Baclao, Ford Arao, Jai Reyes, slam dunk king Elmer Espiritu, Jimbo Aquino, Marvin Hayes, Khazim Mirza, Rey Guevarra and RJ Jazul.